At least seven confirmed tornadoes went through Illinois and Northwest Indiana Thursday night, including an EF3 tornado that struck Kouts, the National Weather Service reported late Friday night.
Merrillville was hit by an EF2 tornado, and an EF0 rolled through St. John, according to the weather service. The other tornadoes were reported in the Illinois communities of Streator, an EF3; Graymont to Dwight, an EF1; and Bartlett, also an EF1.
This is the second time in three months a tornado of that velocity has swept through the area, after one struck Lake Village in Newton County in March.
An EF3 tornado has speeds of 136 to 165 mph. The wind speed is estimated by the damage on the ground. The EF scale, or Enhanced Fujita scale, goes from 0-5, with an EF0 tornado starting at 65 mph and an EF5 tornado being over 200 mph, Leanne Blind-Doskocil, staff meteorologist and adjunct faculty member at Valparaiso University, has previously told the Post-Tribune.
“Most tornadoes are rated EF1 or lower, approximately 77%, and almost all tornadoes, 95%, are below EF3 intensity. Those this strong don’t happen very often,” Blind-Doskocil has said.
The ratings for Thursday’s tornadoes are preliminary, the weather service said, and assessments for most of the tornadoes are not yet complete, according to the weather service.
Additional damage surveys and analysis will be conducted in the coming days, including in southern Lake County and in multiple areas south of the Kankakee River.
NIPSCO, meanwhile, reported that 29,148 customers were still without power early Saturday afternoon. That’s down from a peak of 86,640 immediately after the storms.
The utility also provided estimated times for when power would be restored to various communities across the region. That includes: midnight Saturday for Hammond and Crown Point; 11 p.m. Sunday for Plymouth; 11:59 p.m. Monday for Monticello, Valparaiso, La Porte and Angola; and 6 p.m. Tuesday for Gary, Goshen and Merrillville.
More Top Picks Best All Terrain Mobility Scooters For Seniors
NIPSCO officials said in a website post that residents who don’t see their community listed should know it is part of a larger service area within listed cities.
Anyone experiencing a power outage within NIPSCO’s utility can text “out” to 444111; visit nipsco.com/outages; or use the NIPSCO mobile app.
The Pleasant Township Trustee’s Office announced on Facebook that First Presbyterian Church in Kouts, at the corner of Ind. 49 and County Road 700 S, is collecting donations Sunday through Wednesday for those impacted by the storms. Drop-off times are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.
Needed items are gas cards, bottled water, hygiene products and cleaning products. Cash donations will be used to purchase what is needed.
Additionally, Lake and Porter County residents are being asked to visit the Indiana 211 website or call 866-211-9966 to report damage from the June 11 storms.
Collecting assessments via this process will help the Indiana Department of Homeland Security determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.
Officials with Andrean High School in Merrillville, which had serious damage from the tornado, thanked the community for its support in a Facebook post and said insurance representatives and contractors had been on the scene.
“Following the weekend, we will provide additional updates regarding the extent of the damage and how Andrean High School will navigate the weeks ahead. As we learn more, we will continue to keep our community informed,” officials said.
Individuals who wish to donate to support the high school can do so through the school’s official website at www.andreanhs.org/support/donatenow.cfm.
“Andrean has always been more than buildings and grounds. It is a community bound together by faith, tradition, and a shared commitment to one another. While the damage to our campus is significant, the strength of our Andrean Family is even greater,” officials said.
Merrillville officials encouraged anyone needing assistance to reach out to the American Red Cross or the Ross Township Trustee’s Office. The Red Cross’ phone number is (800) 733-2767, and the trustee’s office phone number is (219) 769-2111.
The Red Cross established a shelter with 700 beds at the Lincoln Center in Highland.
Clothing, toiletries and food donations can be dropped off at the Ross Township Trustee’s Office, 26 W. 73rd Ave.
More Top Picks Best Keytars
The Ross Township Trustee’s Office announced on Facebook that it would be open Saturday and Sunday to provide supplies to those affected by the tornado. The office is also collecting donations.
The Salvation Army was also expected to be at 7201 Taft St. Saturday, handing out blankets, health kits and cleaning supplies, while Strack and Van Til at 61st and Broadway was going to hand out free meals to affected residents until 5 p.m. Saturday. Additionally, volunteers from Hy-Vee were to visit affected areas Saturday to hand out meals and supplies.
Also, Humane Indiana announced on Facebook that anyone impacted by the storms who needed assistance with pet food or other care could email [email protected].